Seems there's a 'slight' problemBy Jim ThomasST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH09/06/2007The mere mention of Tye Hill's name seemed to cause a spike in Carolina wide receiver Steve Smith's blood pressure Wednesday."I guess he had a little conversation with DeAngelo Williams about him shutting me down," Smith told St. Louis reporters during a conference call. "I guess he did that."According to Smith, the conversation took place after the Rams' 15-0 loss at Carolina last Nov. 19. Williams is a Panthers running back."He told DeAngelo something," Smith said. "DeAngelo told me. And I've just been kind of marinating on it for a whole year."So will things be fully "marinated" by noon Sunday in the Edward Jones Dome?"Not even like that," Smith said. "I just kept it in my mind — the mind set of what a guy thought. And that's really it."Those familiar with Smith say the three-time Pro Bowler frequently will jump on a perceived slight, be it in print or via the spoken word, and use it as a motivational tool. The last thing the Rams want in Sunday's season opener is to have Carolina's star pass catcher even more motivated than usual.When asked Wednesday about Smith's mention of the alleged "shutdown" comments, Hill seemed surprised."If I did say anything, I don't know," Hill said. "I can't really remember if I said anything."When told that Smith seemed a little riled up over the topic, Hill replied, "I'm glad he's ready to play. I'm going to get his 'A' game. So I have to bring my 'A' game.” Hill added, "He's trying to call me out, basically. It's all good. I'm ready to play. That's what the NFL's all about. Entertainment.""Shutdown" is not a term usually associated with defending Smith. The seven-year pro has been regarded as one of the NFL's elite wide receivers since his breakout year of 2003. In 2004, Smith played in only one game because of a broken leg. But in 2003, 2005, and 2006, he has averaged nine touchdown catches and nearly 1,300 receiving yards a season."The guy gets doubled probably every play," Rams defensive coordinator Jim Haslett said. "Makes acrobatic catches. Great run after the catch. Tough. Hard-nosed. Good blocker."All in a compact package, at 5 feet 9 and 185 pounds."Just keeping him in check is a challenge," Rams coach Scott Linehan said. "He's going to have his catches. And he's going to have his plays. But if you can keep him somewhat contained — I don't know if that's possible — it gives us a better chance to win."Hill, who begins his first full season as an NFL starter, represents probably the Rams' best hope of containing Smith. At 5-10 and 185 pounds, Hill is similar in stature. In theory, the scrappy Hill has the speed and quickness to stay with Smith.Hill generally plays left cornerback. But the Panthers, under new offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson, like to move Smith around more than they have in the past. So one of the interesting subplots of Sunday's game will be whether the Rams break form and have Hill shadow Smith all over the field."I respect his game," Hill said. "He's a small guy like me, but he plays big. He can go get the deep ball better than probably anybody else in this league. ... If you don't do what you're supposed to do, he's the type of guy that can really embarrass you."In last season's contest, Smith finished with four catches for 90 yards, including a 62-yard reception in the second quarter for the game's only touchdown. But Hill wasn't covering Smith on the play. In fact, Hill was on the other side of the field.Smith did catch what would have been a leaping 22-yard touchdown pass against Hill in the first quarter, getting behind Hill with some improvisation on what was supposed to be a screen pass to fullback Brad Hoover. But the play was called back because of a Carolina penalty."He made a great one-handed catch," Hill said. "But other than that, he didn't really catch too much on me."Smith wants to catch a lot of passes this season, no matter who lines up against him. His unabashed goal is 2,000 yards receiving, which would be an NFL record. Is that a realistic goal?"Sportswriters may say no, but in 2005, I had 1,500 yards," Smith said.Actually it was 1,563 yards, in a season that included games where he caught only one pass for 18 yards (against Dallas), and only two passes for 12 yards (against Green Bay)."So it's an average of about 125 yards a game," Smith said. "Not that I'm counting, or anything."The last time Smith played in St. Louis, he had 69 receiving yards too many to suit the Rams. Smith's dramatic 69-yard touchdown reception gave Carolina a 29-23 double-overtime victory in an NFC playoff game that ended the Rams' 2003 season.
